With the 2024 NBA commerce deadline simply days away, the Detroit Pistons add a sharpshooter to their younger core.
Days earlier than the NBA commerce deadline approaches, the Detroit Pistons struck one other transfer. This time, buying sharpshooter Simone Fontecchio from the Utah Jazz, in alternate for Kevin Knox, a 2024 second-round decide, and draft rights to Gabriele Procida. In line with ESPNs Adrian Wojnarowski, the Pistons traded for him as a part of their longer-term core. One of many youngest rosters within the NBA, Detroit has a mean age of 24.87 earlier than the commerce.
For the draft decide, Detroit will ship essentially the most favorable of both Washington or Memphis second-round picks on this 12 months’s draft. This implies Utah is prone to land a robust decide in return.
The transfer comes after Detroit acquired Danilo Gallinari, Mike Muscala from the Washington Wizards, in alternate for Margin Bagley III, Isaiah Livers, and two second-round picks again in January. After a historic 28-game dropping streak, it seems the Pistons are strategically planning for the long run.
The Utah Jazz are buying and selling Simone Fontecchio to the Detroit Pistons for a 2024 second-round decide, sources inform ESPN.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) February 7, 2024
Simone Fontecchio, 28, is in his second 12 months within the NBA. Undrafted in 2017, the Italian swingman performed for a number of groups abroad earlier than signing a two-way contract with the Jazz in 2022. Incomes his manner as a starter, the Italian native is averaging career-highs in factors (8.9), steals (.6), blocks (.4), rebounds (3.5), assists (1.5), and minutes per sport (23.2). As well as, No. 16 has shot much more effectively from deep, at 39.1 %. In 102 profession video games, he is averaged 7.6 factors, 1.1 assists, 2.6 rebounds, on 36.3 % three-point capturing, and 41.2 % from the ground.
Fontecchio shall be a restricted free agent this summer season
A well-liked participant in Utah, Fontecchio earned his manner into the beginning lineup, incomes the nod in 34 of fifty video games performed this season. Placing up a season excessive of 24 factors towards the Portland Path Blazers on Dec. 14, he completed the evening capturing 100 % from the three-point line.
Rising as a commerce goal for fairly a while, the ahead was linked beforehand to the Boston Celtics and the Phoenix Suns as potential suitors. Any commerce made sense, since Fontecchio is within the last 12 months of his $3.1 million contract yearly. Given he’s a restricted free agent this upcoming summer season, Detroit will retain their rights to barter with the ahead, in the event that they please.
Detroit is 3-7 of their final ten video games and maintain the worst win proportion within the NBA (.122) at 6-43 on the season. Mockingly sufficient, an Italian native, Fontecchio will now play on the Little Caesars Enviornment in Detroit. A 6′ 8 wing, Fontecchio has been a strong rotational and catch and shoot participant for Utah. Averaging 9.4 factors on 38 % three-point capturing over his final ten video games, he brings spacing to Detroit. Particularly with youthful gamers, reminiscent of heart Jalen Duren, it’s going to assist with their spacing downside.
Svegliati, Italia! SIMONEFONTECCHIO is 𝙳𝚄𝙽𝙺𝙸𝙽𝙶 🤌#TakeNote | @simofonte13 pic.twitter.com/zgGHS3EhgW
— Utah Jazz (@utahjazz) February 2, 2024
Simone Fontecchio brings a lot wanted offense to Detroit
He’ll be part of a Pistons roster, led by Monty Williams, they’ve actually had their rising pains. Led by level guard Cade Cunningham, he’ll possible have a bench position behind Jaden Ivey, Bojan Bogdanovic, Isaiah Stewart, and Jalen Duren. All when wholesome, that is the potential beginning lineup.
Not solely is Simone Fontecchio an efficient shooter, however he additionally proved his perimeter protection in 50 video games this season. Together with his dimension and size, the previous Jazz was typically tasked with guarding a number of the prime opponent defenders.
Though it made sense for him to land on a championship contending group, he’ll add some much-needed offense to Detroit, who personal the twenty fourth worst three-point proportion within the NBA (35.6). As well as, the Pistons solely put up 112.6 factors per sport, which is the eighth worst within the league, and permit 122.5 opponent factors per sport, which places them within the basement.
Knox, 24, is together with his fourth group since drafted by the New York Knicks because the no. 9 decide total within the 2018 draft. His second stint with the Pistons, he is averaging 7.2 factors, 2.4 rebounds, on 46.2 capturing from the ground. Whereas he hasn’t averaged factors in double figures since his rookie season, he’ll almost certainly should battle for taking part in time.
The Pistons will face off towards the Sacramento Kings on the street tonight, following a three-game dropping streak. The Jazz, who’re coming off a powerful victory over the Thunder, will subsequent play the Phoenix Suns on Thursday evening.
Keep tuned for extra NBA associated articles. Click on right here
Sara Jane Gamelli is a full-time Sportswriter, Content material Creator and Social Media Supervisor for Ballislife Bets. She has a concentrate on the NBA, WNBA, NCAA Basketball, and the NFL. Sara Jane at the moment resides in Connecticut/NYC space along with her Cat and Canine. SJ has her undergraduate diploma from the College of Connecticut in Economics, with a minor in enterprise administration.